Name______________________

Grade 4 Rubric for Narrative Writing

Exceeding Standard
(4)
Focus

W4.3a

At Standard
(3)

Purposefully orients the

Orients the reader by establishing
reader by skillfully
a situation (real or imagined)
establishing a vivid situation
and introducing characters
(real or imagined) and
and/or a narrator
introducing characters
and/or a narrator

Organization/Plot Coherently organizes a clear

event sequence that unfolds
W4.3a
naturally
W4.3c
Skillfully connects a variety of
W4.3e
transitional words and
phrases to manage the
sequence of events

Provides a conclusion that

clearly follows from the
narrated experience or
events
Techniques
Uses creative descriptions of
actions, thoughts, and
W4.3b
feelings to develop
W4.3d
experiences and events

Uses descriptions of actions,

thoughts, and feelings to
develop experiences and
events

Uses vivid dialogue to show the

response of characters to
situations

Uses dialogue to show the

response of characters to
situations
Uses concrete words and
sensory details to convey
experiences and events
precisely

Uses concrete words and

sensory details to make
experiences and events
come to life

Created by WCPSS ELA Common Core Focus Group

Date_______________________

Approaching Standard
(2)

Establishes a situation (real

or imagined) and attempts
to introduce characters
and/or a narrator

Below Standard
(1)

Fails to establish a
situation (real or
imagined) and does not
introduce characters
and/or a narrator in a
relevant way

Organizes a clear event

Organizes some sequencing but Does not sequence
sequence that unfolds
might confuse the reader
narrative in a logical
naturally
order
Uses some transitional words
Uses a variety of transitional
Uses few to no transitional
and phrases to manage the
words and phrases to manage
sequence of events.
words and phrases to
the sequence of events
manage the sequence of

Attempts a conclusion that

events.
Provides a conclusion that
may or may not follow the

Does not provide a

follows from the narrated
narrated experience or
experience or events
events
discernible conclusion

Uses minimal or irrelevant

descriptions of actions,
thoughts, or feelings to
describe experiences /events
Uses dialogue to support plot

Attempts to use concrete

words and sensory details to
describe experiences and
events

Uses little to no description

of actions, thoughts, or
feelings to describe
experiences /events
Does not use dialogue to
support plot

Fails to to use concrete

words or sensory details

Rev. 2.14.13

Name______________________
Language
L4.2b
L4.3a

Uses purposeful and varied

sentence structures
Demonstrates creativity and
flexibility when using
conventions (grammar,
punctuation, capitalization,
and spelling) enhance
meaning
Utilizes precise and
sophisticated word choice

Grade 4 Rubric for Narrative Writing

Date_______________________

Uses correct and varied sentence Uses some repetitive yet correct Does not demonstrate
structures
sentence structure
sentence mastery
Demonstrates grade level
Demonstrates some grade level Demonstrates limited
appropriate conventions; errors
appropriate conventions, but
understanding of grade
are minor and do not obscure
errors obscure meaning
level appropriate
meaning
conventions, and errors
interfere with the
meaning
Utilizes strong and grade-level
Utilizes vague or basic word
Utilizes incorrect and/or
appropriate word choice
choice
simplistic word choice

Created by WCPSS ELA Common Core Focus Group

Rev. 2.14.13